Bucharest National Theatre to host Japanese tradition, music and dance Tenjin Matsuri festival

One of the biggest and most spectacular festivals in Japan, Tenjin Matsuri, will be present at the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest, on November 4 and 5, with performances, traditional parades, music and ritual dances, the organisers announce.According to a press release sent on Thursday, the event will introduce the Romanian public to Japanese culture and will provide an exciting experience for all participants.Tenjin Matsuri takes place for the first time not only in Bucharest, but also in Europe, and is the result of a close collaboration between the Romanian Government and the Japanese Government. Japanese Ambassador to Romania Hiroshi Ueda voiced his appreciation for this initiative, which he considers a unique opportunity to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries, says the source.The performances at the Bucharest National Theatre include a selection of events and activities that will offer visitors an authentic perspective on Japanese culture. For three hours, the audience will have the chance to take a journey into Osaka, through Taiko drum performances, Danjiri dancers (photo) and the dragon dance. Highlights include traditional parades with colourful costumes, music and authentic Japanese ritual dances.The performances will take place on November 4 and 5 at the Sala Pictura (Painting Hall) of the National Theatre from 10.00 am. Admission is free, subject to availability. Invitations are available on the official website www.matsuri.ro.According to the organisers, Tenjin Matsuri is a festival dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a famous 10th century scholar who became a tenjin, a heavenly god, after passing away. It is the Tenmangu Shinto shrine in Osaka that keeps alive the tradition of this patron god of learning and scholarship in Japan. Every year in midsummer, Tenmangu Jinja or Tenmangu Temple holds a lavish festival in Osaka, one of the three major festivals in Japan, and is considered one of the oldest festivals in the country, with a history of over 1000 years.November is Japanese Cultural Month in Bucharest and is marked every year by the Japanese Embassy.The festival is organised by the Nihon Matsuri Association in partnership with the Act.or.Art Foundation, with the support of the Bucharest City Hall through ARCUB, the Angela Hondru Centre for Romanian-Japanese Studies at the Romanian-American University.  (Photo:https://en.japantravel.com/nara/katsuragi-city-s-danjiri-matsuri/24115)